A client has had Alzheimer's dementia for a period of time and continues to live at home with his spouse. What would be one of the gerontological nurse's responsibilities?

Question

1. Make sure the client is being prescribed appropriate medication.
2. Provide support for the spouse.
3. Assess the client early to ensure proper care.
4. Find a suitable long-term care facility for the client.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Medication prescription is not a nursing responsibility.
Rationale 2: The nurse's responsibility is to provide supportive nursing care, accurate information, and referral assistance, if necessary, to the caregiver. Caregivers may experience physical and emotional exhaustion while they render continuous care.
Rationale 3: It is important for the nurse to do an ongoing assessment of both the client and the caregiver as the client's condition deteriorates.
Rationale 4: The nurse's responsibility is to provide supportive nursing care, accurate information, and referral assistance, if necessary, but finding a suitable long-term facility is not a nursing responsibility.